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—
M A D D I E
Since this may bemy last opportunity to explore the grounds as someone with an actual semi-right to explore them, I walk around parts of the gardens I never have before, secretly hoping I run into Kaz out here. I need to apologize for the other night. I need him to know that I’ll respect whatever he chooses.
I run the soft petals of a white rose between my fingers. They really are beautiful, and I almost can’t believe that a few days from now, I’ll never be able to roam in here freely again.
I’ll be living at the cottage with my parents, but the commute to school and back will take up most of my free time. Even then, it’s not like the gardener’s kids can gallivant around the grounds like I have been so far. Kevin and I will have to stay out of sight of the palace, and it kills me that while the RP will be so close, they’ll also be so far.
Unless I take Tai’s offer.
The proposal he made last night has been on my mind ever since. I can’t freaking stop thinking about it. It’s so tempting, but I just really don’t know if I can take him up on it. If it was simply a matter of choosing them, then duh. It’s already done.
But it’s not that simple.
I can’t allow them to break their pack bond for me, but Tai made it seem like they were going to do it regardless of whether I want them to or not. He made it sound like itwasthat simple. Like all I had to do was say yes, and then that would be done as well.
I know how much they love Kaz. Frankly, my feelings for him are just as strong as they are for the others, but he’s not part of the package deal I’m being offered. If I take Tai up on it, it’ll be me, him, and Wolf.
No Kaz.
Kaz would be alone. Kaz that gave my family a stable income. Ahome.
Kaz who got my mum medical attention even though it wasn’t part of our deal.
Kaz who told me the first time I spoke to him that he wanted to bond for love. That he wanted to be with a good person, and not just the Omega who might give the best political advantage.
Kaz, who is willing to sacrifice all of his own desires for a position that will never truly fulfill him. Never truly give him what he really wants: a sense of home. Of love and respect.
And the thought of that makes me feel sick. Sickerthan I have been feeling, anyway.We can’t do that to him, can we?
A sudden shove at my back makes my knees hit the ground hard, and I start. I wasn’t paying attention, but I didn’t trip. Someone—
“Well, well, what do we have here?” a cold voice taunts before Rachel, the American Omega who was bullying Antonio, walks into my field of vision. It’s a fucking wonder she’s even still here. I know the RP doesn’t want her, which can only mean it’s the queen who’s pulling the strings there.
My knees are smarting, but I’m so used to this particular sensation that it doesn’t bother me much.
As I start lifting myself off the ground, another pair of hands shoves me and I stay down this time, wondering how many of them are behind me. Before I can check, Rachel tuts her tongue and shakes her head at me, her expression cool as she folds her arms and looks me over like I’m a gnat she’s about to crush with the heel of her expensive shoe.
“The question iswhyare you here, Maddison Darling?” she says, keeping her voice low, but there’s no mistaking the malice in it. “You know, after you stuck up for that Spanish piece of shit, I asked Clara about you. She told me some pretty interesting things.”
“I’m sure she has.”
Shit. With everything that has happened since, I completely forgot this hyena had it out for me. “What did she say, Rachel? We’re burning daylight here.”
“For starters, she told me a little bit about your family, and you’ll never believe what I found out.”
I snort. “That I’m poor? Big whoop.”
“No, not that.” She gives her hand a dismissive wave. “I found out you’re the new palace gardener’s daughter.”
My blood runs cold. I’m not ashamed of it, but Iamafraid of the repercussions if this gets out. I was expecting it to happen, but not this soon.What will happen to Kaz? To my dad? Are they going to fire him? Will the queen deny Kaz the throne for doing something nice for us? Fuck.
Another voice, an unfamiliar, slightly accented one, speaks up from behind me. “We also know that you’ve been spending time with the RP outside of your assigned events.”
When the female moves to stand next to Rachel, I recognize her vaguely as the Omega from one of the Scandinavian countries.Sweden, maybe?
I haven’t spent any time with her since she’s always sitting with Rachel at meals, so I don’t know her name, but she’s clearly not happy with me. Her pretty features are arranged into a tight scowl. “It’s not fair, you bottom-feeder. Are you so desperate that you’ve been spreading your legs to get them to keep you here?”
